Through its financial Awards and its Directory, The Hardman Trust supports prisoners in England, Wales and Scotland. It provides awards to people in prison who have served long sentences and are preparing for life on release. The awards celebrate achievements made in prison, with award winners being granted financial support to improve access to training and employment. Financial awards can be used to purchase tools for work or to pay for training costs - an immediate, practical solution that can help each individual on their path to starting a new life after prison. In addition to the award, The Hardman Trust also offers ongoing support 'through the gate', ensuring award winners have ongoing contact as they adjust to life back in the community.

The Hardman Trust is the only charity specialising in the unique needs of long term prisoners (i.e. sentences of seven years or more), celebrating their achievements as they move through the prison system and prepare for a future back in the community. It focuses on the individual - starting with each person's own goals, interests and strengths, and supporting them to achieve their aspirations with the support of its awards. Working with each person to plan and prepare for life on release, its aim is for more prison leavers to find meaningful employment and training.

The Trust believes that when prison leavers find purpose and independence through work, they benefit, their families benefit, and wider society benefits. With a small staff team of four, its work rests on the dedication and commitment of a network of 30 volunteers across England, Wales and Scotland.

In addition to our awards, the Hardman Trust is known for the Hardman Directory - a vital resource provided free of charge to every prison in England, Wales and Scotland. The directory offers information about the various funding and support services available to prison leavers, along with guidance around how to navigate life on release, from accessing benefits to finding accommodation.

The Hardman Trust has successfully delivered its programmes in prisons for almost 30 years, with a strong reputation and consistent offer. Over the coming year, it will be reviewing its organisational strategy, listening to people in prison, prison-leavers, sector experts, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders to define its purpose and ensure it is meeting the needs of the people it is here to serve: long-term prisoners. Taking stock in 2022, The Hardman Trust aims to launch a new strategic plan in Summer 2023. The successful candidate will be involved in this process, alongside the newly recruited CEO.

The current Chair, Hugh Lenon, is approaching the end of his tenure, therefore The Hardman Trust is looking to appoint a new Chair. This comes at a time of some transition for the Hardman Trust, having recently appointed a new Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of the previous Director after serving more than 25 years running the Trust. The new Chair will be crucial in supporting and guiding the CEO through strategic review of the organisation whilst continuing to deliver the charity's core services, the Hardman Awards and the Hardman Directory.

The Hardman Trust is a relatively small charity with two full time and two part time members of staff, looking to raise c. £330k income to support its activities during this coming financial year. There are currently 11 enthusiastic Trustees with wide ranging skills and experience.

Key responsibilities of the Chair include to:

• Work in partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and that the charity, the Trustees and the Chief Executive are focused on achieving these
• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity
• Ensure that the charity’s financial dealings are systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available
• Ensure that the charity has a satisfactory system for holding in trust or the beneficiaries moneys, properties and other assets and ensure that moneys are invested to the maximum benefit of the charity, within the constraints of the law and ethical and other policies laid down by the Board
• Ensure that board decisions are made in the best, long term interests of the charity and that the board takes collective ownership of these decision

The appointed Chair must have exceptional empathy with the cause of the Hardman Trust, without which, it will be difficult to be credible with Trustees, staff, donors Award applicants and winners, as well as individuals upon whom the Hardman Trust relies in the prison service and elsewhere.

Ideally, the successful candidate will bring leadership experience from the corporate, public or non-profit sector and will be able to demonstrate their strategic leadership experience as well as an understanding of charity governance and finances. It is preferred if candidates have a background which demonstrates interest in criminal justice and, perhaps, in prison affairs and prisoner welfare, or similar.

Candidates will be able to develop positive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, and play an ambassadorial role in representing the charity, expanding its network, profile and impact.

The appointed candidate will have an exciting option of acting as a Hardman Trust Assessor. They will have the opportunity to travel around the country, meet with Applicants and make recommendations to the Hardman Trust’s Selection Committee.

The Hardman Trust Values

• It puts prisoners first
• Its first duty is to help prisoners realise their potential as positive contributors to society
• It remembers the human
• It seeks to be authentic, passionate and empathic, to remember we can all make mistakes and to listen with care and impartiality
• It believes that by taking the carefully considered risk to trust others, it empowers others
• It wants to make a difference
• In its dealings with others, it fosters the values of openness, honesty, tolerance, fairness and responsibility in all areas
• It strives to create an atmosphere of community, collegiality and cooperation for everyone

Hugh Lenon, Chair
John Holmes
Jamie Bennett
Edward du Boulay
Kim Evans
Graham Jones
Prue Keely
Jim King
Chris Leslie
David Maguire
Louise Spencer

The role is unremunerated but reasonable pre-agreed domestic travel expenses can be reimbursed. The time commitment for this role is around c. 25 days a year, including quarterly Board meetings, meetings with the CEO, and ad hoc engagement. It is expected that during the induction period, the successful candidate will initially spend on average a day a week engaging with the Trust. The charity currently maintains an office on the Isle of Wight from which location two staff can work, with other staff members working remotely; Board meetings are expected to be held in central London. The new Chair is expected to travel to various prison estates to support Award Ceremonies as well as visiting the Isle of Wight office periodically. The Trustees of the Hardman Trust serve a maximum period of six years consisting of two terms of three years.